Black Stars arrive in USA for final 2026 World Cup preparations

The Black Stars have arrived in the United States to continue their preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, landing in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday evening for the final stage of their training camp.

The team left Cardiff on Wednesday afternoon after their 1-1 international friendly draw with Wales on Tuesday night and touched down in the US capital at about 9 p.m. local time. Officials from the Ghana High Commission in Washington welcomed the squad upon arrival as they begin the final phase of preparations for the tournament.

Head coach Carlos Queiroz and his team are expected to resume training on Thursday as they continue refining tactics ahead of the World Cup, which begins on June 11 in the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

The Black Stars will take confidence from their display against Wales, where Caleb Yirenkyi netted his first goal for the national team before Ghana conceded a late equaliser in stoppage time, missing out on what would have been their first win since October 2025.

Despite the late setback, Queiroz praised the team’s performance and their ability to execute his tactical plans, especially considering the squad had only completed one full training session together before the match.

Ghana have been placed in Group L alongside Panama, England, and Croatia. The Black Stars will begin their campaign against Panama on June 17 in Toronto before facing England on June 23 in Boston and Croatia on June 27 in Philadelphia.

The team is also expected to play another friendly match in the United States before the start of the tournament, with Queiroz highlighting the need to strengthen team chemistry and fine-tune preparations within a squad made up of experienced players and emerging talents.

The Black Stars are hoping to advance beyond the group stage for the first time since the 2010 FIFA World Cup, when Ghana narrowly missed becoming the first African nation to reach the semi-finals.